News and events - 6/3/24

Weekly update from Principal Paolino

Good Morning! 

I hope everyone had a relaxing Memorial Day recess and a chance to enjoy some time with family and friends. We are full steam ahead as we look forward to completing the remaining few weeks of school! Prior to Memorial Day, we finished up our NYSESLAT testing and began the NWEA Math testing which is being administered through June 5. The NWEA Reading assessment is set to be scheduled for all students from June 6- 14. As fourth-quarter interim reports were recently mailed out, we encourage you to pay close attention to grades, teacher comments and attendance. Moving forward, I also urge you to discuss with your child and, if necessary, your child's teacher(s), whether all assignments are being handed in. As I have said many times, missed assignments have a huge impact on grades and, at this time of the year, often affects whether a student passes or fails.    

Our third quarter Honor Roll Ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 22 in our auditorium, honoring 281 exceptional students, some of whom were Honor Roll recipients all year! We applaud their accomplishments and encourage them to keep working hard and staying motivated. As Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it's done."

The Eighth-Grade Dance for the Class of 2024 will be held on Friday, June 21 from 6-9 p.m. in the Hackett Middle School grand foyer. The dance is a semiformal affair, and students should dress appropriately. The event is very special for staff as well as our eighth-graders. It's a chance for eighth-grade students to dress up and pamper themselves, to get together with friends, some of whom may soon part ways, and create memories that will last beyond school. For those of us who work at Hackett, it brings a sense of community and family as we celebrate their hard work, growth and maturity over the past three years before we have to say goodbye. More information and the permission slip for the dance will be made available as we get closer. 

Parents of eighth-graders: Please be aware of the requirements regarding the Moving-Up Ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at 9 a.m. Students eligible to participate in the Moving-Up Ceremony must pass ALL of their subjects as well as be in good behavioral standing. Mandatory graduation rehearsals will be held on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25.

... and that was the week that was!   

Now for our 'Don't Snooze and Lose News' 

  • Our free five-week Middle School Sports Academy is co-sponsored by the University at Albany Liberty Partnerships Rising Stars Program and our City School District of Albany Athletics Department. This program will provide sports training and exposure, health and wellness education, academic enrichment and field trips. Learn more and sign up your student.
  • The Algebra Regents will take place this Tuesday.
  • Our FINAL PTA meeting for this year is this Wednesday at 7 p.m. 
  • The sixth-grade team will be on their field trip to the Bronx Zoo on Thursday, June 13.
  • The Living Environment Regents will take place on Friday, June 14.
  • Fourth-quarter grades close on Friday, June 14.
  • The eighth-grade team will be on their field trip to New York on Tuesday, June 18.
  • The seventh-grade team will be on their field trip to the Boston Museum on Friday, June 21.
  • The Eighth-Grade Dance is Friday, June 21, from 6-9 p.m. in Hackett's grand foyer.
  • Class of 2024, awesome to the core! Parents of our eighth-grade students, mark your calendars: Hackett's Moving-Up Ceremony is Wednesday, June 26, at 9 a.m. 

23 DAYS TO GO!